Credential Inflation In The Federal Workforce?

New Executive Order Fights Credential Inflation In The Federal Workforce"

"On Friday, President Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to fill job vacancies based on merit, rather than require a minimum level of education for candidates seeking open positions. The order rightly recognizes that a job candidate with several years of relevant experience may be just as qualified, if not more so, than one who has collected a stack of advanced degrees."


https://www.forbes.com/sites/prestoncooper2/2020/06/29/new-executive-order-fights-credential-inflation-in-the-federal-civil-service/#6a382a085759

An unusual lawsuit at LLNL

Don’t know what to say to this somewhat bizarre lawsuit:

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/06/lawsuit-alleges-scientific-misconduct-us-nuclear-weapons-lab

Dealing With Life Transitions in an Ever-Changing COVID-19 World

Dealing With Life Transitions in an Ever-Changing COVID-19 World  

ByJennifer Scott

Nothing’s for certain when it comes to COVID-19, except for the fact that everyone is working through some sort of change right now. Whether that change is as small as giving themselves an at-home haircut or as big as graduating from high school, people are dealing with all sorts of life transitions during these unprecedented times. Let’s explore some of those changes, as well as a few helpful tips for adjusting to and sorting through them. 

Trying to Sell a Home 

The full influence of COVID-19 on the US housing market has yet to be seen. Still, real estate experts speculate that with fewer folks out searching for new homes due to pandemic-related restrictions and concerns about the virus, home prices may end up falling this year. 

If you do want to sell your home during the pandemic, you can take extra precautions to give buyers peace of mind and hopefully sell before the market declines further. Some safe ways to show and sell your home could include virtual tours, 3D walkthroughs and video conferencing showings. As things open back up, you may also be able to arrange for in-person tours but if you do, make sure that your entire home is properly cleaned and sanitized before and after appointments. 

Finding or Starting a New Job 

Were you furloughed from your current job? If so, The Balance notes this may be the perfect time to reevaluate your career goals and begin searching for a position better-suited to your needs. You can spend the free time you have reworking your resume and combing through potential openings, to see if something catches your eye. 

If you do get called in for an interview, remember that there is no need to mention your furloughed status unless a prospective employer asks. Volunteering this information without being asked could end up complicating or even jeopardizing your job search. 

If you will be starting a new job during the pandemic, keep in mind that the onboarding and training process is bound to be different, and many of those steps may be completed virtually. 

Anticipating a Big Move 

Whether you plan on selling a home or starting a new job, these two major life changes may also require you to relocate while the COVID-10 crisis is ongoing. United Van Lines explains that planning a move in the middle of a global pandemic can be a little more challenging, but it’s certainly not impossible. 

You mainly need to be careful of restrictions and closings that could impact your travel, especially if you will be moving to a new state. If you are traveling through states, you may also want to check current COVID-19 hot zones, so you will know which locations may require added precautions. If you are merely moving to a new home in your current city, check out the COVID-19 cleaning tips mentioned above, so that you can ensure that your new home is safe for your family. 

Filing for Federal Benefits 

As mentioned above, there are quite a few people transitioning into new career fields due to COVID-19 closures. While the unemployment rate has fallen since the onset of the pandemic, millions of Americans are still desperately in need of financial support. As of June, the federal government has not decided whether to extend the CARES Act benefits currently providing assistance to these people. Still, you may end up needing to file for unemployment before the coronavirus crisis is over. 

Of course, accepting financial help can be difficult and emotional, but know that getting the help you need is nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about. So whether it’s unemployment or other financial aid, do what you need to keep yourself afloat. 

The coronavirus pandemic will likely continue to shape our lives in the coming months and even years. Since you cannot predict what changes this future will bring, all that you can do is focus on making the most of the changes in front of you. So whether that’s buying a new home or building a new career, or something else, try to find the information and resources you need to work through transitions in a positive way.

Jennifer Scott

Y-12 and Pantex M&O fired.

Y-12 and Pantex M&O fired. UC-tied underperformers next?

 Anonymous said...

Y-12 and Pantex M&O fired. UC-tied underperformers next?

6/23/2020 4:39 PM

I think the poster is saying some group or subcontractor associated with managing Pantex and Y-12 is out for underperforming. I have heard nothing of it or know which groups they are. I also don't think UC had any involvement with either theses places. Maybe it is a different UC than the University of California.

How is LLNS AAP?

Is the annual LLNS AAP worth a "hill of beans" in terms of actually addressing diversity employment disparities at LLNL?

6/19/2020 11:48 AM

U.S. inertial confinement fusion (ICF) program finding increase

ICF funding:

https://www.laserfocusworld.com/lasers-sources/article/14175399/congress-boosts-inertialconfinement-fusion-budget-review-results-expected-by-end-of-fy20

Interesting that pulsed power ICF, which has shown no progress, gets a 30% increase, although the $ amount is small. Thankfully no $$ are being spent to build a new Z machine. This is probably a relief to SNL which has no need for that program.

At least LLE Rochester wasn’t able to extort the government for more money. Their budget remains flat.

How y'all doing?

How are sites doing in the resumption of work now that COVID restrictions are being lifted and some states are seeing an increase as restrictions are being lifted?

Diversity harmed at LLNL

After nearly 30 years of false promises regarding diversity,

not much has changed at LLNL.  Lab careers of the outspoken, those that pushed the envelope as AEM Lab employees did in the 90s, endured careers that were systematically and forever harmed.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j7terW7ySzlYcubcN2C57bIgaH8qw_7m/view?usp=drivesdk

How is Bill doing?

As those before him since the 2007 transition, is LLNL Director Bill Goldstein simply a stooge for the for-profit LLNS LLC contractor? What has being the LLNS "President" meant thus far to LLNL employees besides unjustified mass layoffs and systemic benefit reductions?

Manageable managers

"Advance opportunities are biased and many are given to those who can be manageable."

Unfortunately true. So how many of our LANL and LLNL Diversity Managers are "Manageable"?

Nuc testing in Nevada bad idea.

Bad for trump disastrous for the world!
https://thebulletin.org/2020/06/why-a-us-nuclear-test-in-nevada-would-be-bad-for-the-world-and-trumps-reelection/

Unthinkable growth!

With race riots and and a depression level economy brought on by the coronavirus, how is the country going to continue increasing the NW complex by 20% every year? I see LinkedIn and Indeed.com postings for all sorts of jobs at the labs. I assume they will continue to increase their workforce by double-digits every year indefinitely. I harbor no ill will against the labs or NNSA, but the situation is strange.